ES2291598T3 - DEVICE FOR FIXING A PIECE TO A PANEL. - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for fixing a part (2) to a panel (1) equipped with a perforation (6), such a device comprising a mount (4) equipped with an upper arm (11) and a lower arm (12) that are facing with respect to each other and together they define an opening (19) opposite to which they are connected by a plate (20), the upper arm (11) and the lower arm (12) being perforated with an upper hole (21) and a lower hole (22) coaxial respectively, the upper arm (11) comprising a rod (23) forming a nut in which the upper hole (21) is made, the arms (11, 12) can be placed on both sides of the panel (1) with its holes (21, 22) facing the perforation (6) mentioned above while the plate (20) is placed facing the edge (7) of the panel (1), the lower arm (12) having an elastically flexible stud (24) articulated by a rim (25) located on the side of the opening (19) and in which the hole inferred r (22) is made, characterized in that the pin (24) has an edge (27) that extends from the lower arm (12) to the upper arm (11) and can be housed in the perforation (6) mentioned above for allow the mount (4) to be snapped in and thus fixed to the panel (1) and the aforementioned rod (23) is partially extended, on the inner side of the upper arm (11), by an edge (44) which can be housed in the perforation (6) made in the panel (1), when the mount (4) is mounted in the panel (1).

Description

Device for fixing a piece to a panel.

The invention relates to the fixation of a piece on a panel. This could be for example, for a vehicle automotive, fixing a bumper to a body component or a lining to a door.

More specifically, it relates to a device that, for fixing a piece to the panel, comprises a mount with an upper arm and a lower front arm, connected by a plate and drilled with coaxial holes.

To fix the piece to the panel, which both they have perforations for this purpose, the mount is mounted on the edge of the panel in such a way that its arms are on both sides of him, with their respective holes facing the perforation made on the panel, and the mount plate is facing the edge of the panel.

The piece to be fixed is then placed in the lower arm of the mount, with its perforation placed in front of the hole made in the arm.

A screw is then inserted into the drilling in the piece, and it is pushed successively through the lower arm and then the panel, before being screwed into the upper arm, pressing the piece to the lower arm and the panel between the arms

U.S. Patent No. 4,798,507 describes a nut adapted for use with a plate screw.  The nut has a bushing that receives the screw, with two or more terrified threads that have a flattened crest at the apex of The angles of the thread. Alternatively, the nut comprises a double thread on the inner surface of the hub of at least two full revolutions

U.S. Patent No. 4,508,477 describes an improved clamping device for assurance from a threaded member such as a screw to an article such as a panel or similar. The device is the type that has a member base that has a frustoconic projection that has an edge lower and upper helical surrounding a through opening that in conjunction with a pair of elastic finger portions that have respective free ends separated from each other along an axis and-and defined among these of which a portion of finger is displaced a distance beyond the base member than the another finger portion to provide a means of engaging the threaded member threads. The edges are separated from each other by means of a slot that, extending under the portion of finger that has the upper free end in one direction substantially transverse to the y-y axis, it can avoid cocking and cross threading of the threads of the threaded member what has been a problem in the past particularly when the threaded member has a blunt end in place of one pointed.

Known devices of this type They have a number of disadvantages.

First, the placement of the mount in the panel is difficult, especially because, as we have seen, it must be placed on the perforation made in the panel. Mount the mount becomes even more problematic when done blindly, because There is no means to check if it is placed correctly.

Then, holding the mount in the panel is often inappropriate. It is common, particularly in the field automotive, mount the mount some time before it insert the screw, these two operations being performed in various seasons It is therefore frequent, particularly low effect of the vibrations experienced by the vehicle when transfer from one station to another, that one or more frames move along the edge of the panel, or even falling off it. By therefore they have to be placed again to allow the screwed This leads to losses in productivity.

In addition, a specific type of mount generally corresponds to a certain panel thickness, and cannot be mount on a thicker panel or a thinner panel.

On the other hand, problems are often encountered with the rigidity and the support of the fixation produced.

The invention aims to solve the disadvantages mentioned above in particular, proposing a fixing device that is easy and practical to use under all the circumstances, including blindly, that allows a piece be fixed to panels of different thicknesses, and that is more reliable in a way that allows a more durable rigid fixation.

To this end, the invention proposes a device according to claim 1, the preamble of the which is based on the nut of US 4 798 507.

Given this specific embodiment of the mount, its correct placement in the panel is characterized by a audible click, which assures the user that the edge has been received in the perforation in the panel, and that the holes in the arms are correctly facing said perforation.

In this context, the mount is guaranteed to stay in the panel under any circumstances even before the screw is inserted.

According to one embodiment, the edge before mentioned has a face that leans toward the opening before mentioned, to allow gradual thrust to one side of the stud when the mount is mounted, under the pressure of the panel.

For example, the edge extends so circulate around the edge of the hole made in the stud.

The upper arm has, for example, a ramp which leans towards the opening, capable of guiding the panel towards the lower arm when the mount is mounted.

The lower arm may have, on the side of the opening already mentioned, a chamfered free edge, to guide later the panel.

Preferably, the plate is thicker than arms, while the upper arm is thicker than the arm lower, so that the lower arm has a certain flexibility that facilitates the mounting of the mount on the panel.

According to one embodiment, the busty before mentioned is delimited by a "U" shaped recess, the concavity of which is facing the opening before mentioned.

For example, the aforementioned stem is prolongs at least partly on the outer side of the upper arm,  on whose side it is preferably ribbed to provide a increased resistance, particularly in torsion.

In addition, the upper arm may have, in the inner side, a collar that extends radially from of the rod, against which the panel can be pressed.

According to one embodiment, the upper arm it also has an elastically flexible tongue that extends towards the lower arm and is able to push the panel towards the lower arm to improve the support of the mount in the panel.

This tab may, for example, come from necklace mentioned above, which increases your ability to flexion.

The following description of a given embodiment as a non-exhaustive example it highlights other features and advantages of the invention; the description is given with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a top view in perspective of a mount capable of being mounted on the edge of a panel to fix any piece to the panel;

- Figure 2 is a bottom view in perspective of the mount of Figure 1;

- Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the mount of Figures 1 and 2;

- Figure 4 is a vertical plan view, from the side, of the saddle of the previous figures;

- Figure 5 is a top plan view of the saddle of the previous figures;

- Figure 6 is a vertical plan view, from the side of the opening, of the frame of the figures previous;

- Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view cross section of the frame of the previous Figures, along the cutting plane shown in Figure 6 along the line VII-VII;

- Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view cross section of the frame of the previous figures, along the cutting plane shown in Figure 4 along the line VIII-VIII, the mount being mounted on a panel composed of three overlapping plates;

- Figure 9 is a view analogous to Figure 8, in which a plate fixed to the panel by means of a screw that hooks to the mount is also shown;

- Figure 10 is a view analogous to Figure 7, in which the mount is mounted on a panel that is much more thin than the distance between the arms;

- Figure 11 is a view analogous to Figure 10, in which the mount is mounted on a panel composed of two overlapping plates.

Figure 9 shows a panel 1 in which a Piece 2 is going to be rigidly fixed.

Panel 1 and part 2 to be fixed are, by example, two components of the body of a vehicle in production or repair, such as, respectively, a chassis component and a bumper component or, respectively, a component of door and a lining designed to cover it.

As shown in Figure 9, panel 1 and the piece 2 to be fixed are both plate-shaped or, in this case for panel 1, in the form of a plurality of overlapping plates one'. This can be both a general configuration, for example if panel 1 and / or part 2 are two thin metal sheets that are set, or a local configuration, with panel 1 and / or part 2 belonging to components with a more complex general form.

Part 2 and panel 1 are assembled by means of a fixing device 3 comprising a mount 4 which forms a nut, which is mounted on panel 1, and a screw 5 that hooks on mount 4 through part 2 and the panel one.

To allow screw 5 to pass through to all along, panel 1 has a circular section perforation 6 with the axis A1 located near its edge 7, while the piece 2 is provided with a hole 8 with the axis A2, which is chamfering at 9 to take screw head 10.

Here, mount 4 is a single piece produced molding a synthetic material. For example, a type polyamide PA 6.6 could be selected, preferably modified to Provide good impact resistance.

Mount 4 has an upper arm 11 and a lower arm 12, approximately flat and parallel, with an outline  general rectangular, which have internal front faces 13, 14 and opposite external faces 15, 16.

The arms 11, 12 have free edges 17, 18 respectively between which define an opening 19 through of which the mount 4 is mounted on the panel 1, and opposite to the which are connected by a flat plate 20 which is approximately perpendicular to them, so that mount 4 has a profile approximately U-shaped

The upper arm 11 and the lower arm 12 are perforated, respectively, with an upper hole 21 and a bottom hole 22 that are facing each other and are coaxial, and the common axis A3 that is perpendicular to the arms 11, 12.

As will be observed next, the arm upper 11 has a rod 23 that forms a nut in which it makes the upper hole 21 and in which the screw 5 is capable of engage when part 2 is fixed to panel 1.

The lower arm 12 is equipped with a stud elastically flexible 24 which, in the absence of load, extends generally in the plane of the arm 12.

The pin 24, in which the hole is made bottom 22, is articulated to arm 12 by a rim 25 located on the side of opening 19 and extending approximately parallel to the free edge 18 of the arm 12, near him.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the stud 24 is delimited by a U-shaped recess 26, the concavity of which is facing towards the free edge 18 of the lower arm 12, that is, towards the opening 19. The stud 24 it has a rounded profile, but it could also have a profile rectangular without this deteriorating its operation, which will be described then.

On the outer side of the lower arm 12, it is say on the side of the outer face 16 of the arm, the stud 24 is at level with the external face 16 in the absence of the load.

On the other hand, on the inner side of the arm bottom 12, that is on the side of its inner face 14, the stud 24 it has a lower arita 27 that extends beyond the face internal 14 and extends from the lower arm 12 to the arm upper 11 and is housed in perforation 6 in panel 1 when the mount 4 is mounted, to allow mount 4 to snap to pressure and thus set to panel 1, as will be observed at continuation.

The bottom edge 27, which extends so circulate around the bottom hole 22 at the edge of the hole, It does not have a constant height.

In fact, it has a front section 28 that extends at an angle of approximately 90 ° from the rim of joint 25, and the height of which, measured from the face internal 14 perpendicular to it, increases towards plate 20.

This front section 28 thus forms a face 29 which is inclined towards the opening 19, the inclined face 29 forming a track that tends to push the stud 24 out low panel 1 pressure when mount 4 is mounted on this latest.

This front section 28 is extended by a rear section 30 extending at an angle of approximately 90º, the height of which is constant.

As can be seen in Figure 1, the edge 27 has, on the side of the hole 22, an internal surface cylindrical 31 that forms the edge of the hole 22 and, on the side of the recess 26, a tapered outer surface 32 which, centering automatically the hole 22 with respect to the perforation 6 in the panel 1, contributes to the correct placement of mount 4 in the latter.

In this way, the edge 27 is asymmetric and is extends mainly on one side only of hole 22; This specific feature is due to a molding requirement, in this case to allow lateral removal of the slides of the mold.

To increase the area of the lower arm 12, in particular to recover the lost area due to the recess 26, the arm 12 has locally, around the stud 24, a profile circular 33 that, through the projection that he forms, can assist to the polarization of the assembly when mount 4 is mounted on the panel 1 in certain specific cases, as will be observed at continuation.

In addition, to assist in the guidance of panel 1 in the opening 19 between the arms 11, 12, the edge 18 of the arm lower 12 is chamfered at 34, as shown in Figure 1 in particular.

However, guidance is provided. mainly by an inclined ramp 35 formed in the arm upper 11, facing the opening 19 and extending from the upper hole 21 to the free edge 17 of the upper arm 11, the which is, as can be seen in Figure 4, much longer than the lower arm 12, so that the ramp 35 extends further beyond the free edge 18 of the lower arm 12.

Moreover, the upper arm 11 even it is curved out in the vicinity of its free edge 17.

In this way, working together with the edge 7 of panel 1, ramp 35 directs the panel towards the arm bottom 12 - or vice versa - which facilitates mounting of the mount Four.

On the other hand, as can be observed in the Figure 4, plate 20 is thicker than arms 11, 12 and the upper arm 11, which, must be remembered, forms the nut in which screw 5 is designed to catch, is thicker than the lower arm 12.

In this way, the angle section formed by the plate 20 and the upper arm 11 has a certain stiffness which makes it relatively non-deformable when mount 4 is mounted on panel 1, while lower arm 12 is relatively deformable and is able to flex so elastic under pressure of panel 1.

The stem 23 has an upper section generally cylindrical 36 extending from the outer side of the upper arm 11, that is, on the side of the outer face 15 of the upper arm 11. As shown in Figure 1, the stem 23 is veined. More specifically, it has four nerves 37 distributed in the form of a cross, which increase the strength of the rod 23, not only in flexion when screw 5 is inserted, but especially in torsion when the screw is tightened; he screw is self drilling and directly works its internal thread complementary in the stem 23.

The stem 23 also has a lower section 38 which, continuing from the upper section 36, extends further beyond the inner side of the upper arm 11, that is on the side of the inner face 13 of the upper arm 11.

As shown in Figure 2, the arm upper 11 has a collar 39 that, at a given distance from the face internal 13, extends radially from the stem 23 to form a crown-shaped support face 40 against which the panel 1, on which mount 4 is mounted, rests.

This cooperation between support face 40 and the collar 39, and panel 1, occurs at least when screwing, which tends to join arms 11, 12, among which panel 1 will be sustained.

However, this cooperation can also occur when mounting mount 4, depending on the thickness of the panel 1 (Figure 8).

In fact, to provide, even before the screw 5 addition, a reliable mount 4 support in panel 1, regardless of its thickness, the upper arm 11 is equipped with an elastically flexible tongue 41 that extends towards the lower arm 12.

This tab 41 is located between the top hole 21 and plate 20; has a cylindrical free end  42 which, near the inner face 13 of the upper arm 11, is extends parallel to the inner face 13 and the plate twenty.

When mount 4 is mounted on panel 1, the tab 41 flexes in the direction of the plate 20 under the panel 1 pressure, which finds and then slides at its end free 42.

Under the effect of its own elasticity, the tab 41 pushes the panel 1 towards the lower arm 12, and the Holds firmly against her.

As can be seen in Figure 4, the tongue 41 comes collar 39. More specifically, it comes from a thin rear section 43 of the collar, which extends into the side of the plate 20, and which can be flexed towards the inner face 13, together with the tongue 41, under the pressure of panel 1.

In addition, the lower section 38 of the stem 23 is extended, on the other side of collar 39 with respect to the face internal 13, by an upper edge 44, similar to the edge lower 27 described above, but mainly extends, with respect to the lower edge, on the other side of a plane perpendicular to the plate 20 passing through the axis A3 of holes 21, 22, such a plane being the general plane of the mount symmetry 4.

As before, this specific form is due to a molding requirement in order to allow the lateral removal of a mold slide.

In the same way as the bottom edge 27, the upper edge 44 has a front section 45, which extends in an angle of approximately 90º, and the height of which increases from ramp 35 to plate 20.

This front section 45 forms an inclined face 46 extending as a continuation of ramp 35; is extended by a rear section 47 that has a constant height and extends at an angle of approximately 90 °.

When mount 4 is mounted on a panel thick enough 1, as can be seen in Figure 8, the upper edge 44 is housed in the perforation 6 in the panel one.

Moreover, to automatically center the top hole 22 with respect to perforation 6, the edge upper 44 has a tapered outer surface 48 that guides the upper edge 44 with respect to panel 1.

In addition, as can be seen in Figure 8, at the level of the upper edge 44, the stem 23 has a tapered inner surface 49 capable of guiding screw 5 when inserted in stem 23.

Piece 2 is fixed on panel 1 as follow.

First, the mount 4 is mounted on the panel 1, which has a thickness e the value of which is between the value of the distance d between the free end 42 of the tongue 41 and the inner face 14 of the lower arm 12 on the one hand (Figure 10), and the value of the distance D between the inner front faces 13, 14 on the other hand (Figures 8, 9).

Thus, in the example shown in Figure 10, the panel 1 is formed by a single thin plate, whose thickness e is equal to the distance d .

In the example shown in Figure 11, panel 1, whose thickness e is between the distances d and D, is formed by the superposition of two thin plates 1 'perforated with coaxial holes that together form the perforation 6.

In the example shown in Figures 8 and 9, the panel 1, which has a thickness and approximately equal to the distance D, is formed by the superposition of three perforated thin plates 1 'with coaxial holes that together form the perforation 6.

Edge 7 of panel 1 is guided by ramp 35 and then the inclined face 46. This pushes the tongue 41, which, in reaction, pushes it towards the lower arm 12.

The panel 1 slides on the inclined face 29 formed in the lower edge 27, which causes gradual thrust to one side of the stud 24 and, possibly, slight flexion in the lower arm 12 when the thickness e of the panel 1 is sufficient (This is particularly the case when the thickness e of panel 1 is equal to the distance D).

When axes A1 of drilling 6 and A3 of holes 21, 22 are approximately convergent, the edge internal 27 is housed in perforation 6, the stud 24 returns to through elasticity to its inactive position with a click audible, as shown in Figures 8 to 11.

When the thickness e of the panel 1 is sufficient, as shown in Figure 8, the upper edge 44 is also housed in the perforation 6.

Whatever the thickness e of the panel 1, it is then grasped, between the tongue 41 and the lower arm 12, (Figures 10, 11) or directly between the arms 11, 12 (Figure 8).

In this way, when mount 4 is in the mounted position, arms 11, 12 are on both sides of the panel 1, its holes 21, 22 facing the perforation 6 with its axes respective A3, A1 converging, while plate 20 is placed facing its edge 7. Mount 4 is therefore snapped in and thus fixed to panel 1, which Holds against lower arm 12 with lower edge 27 only or both edges 27, 44 in its perforation 6.

The piece to be fixed 2 is then held against the outer face 16 of the lower arm 12 placing its hole 8 facing the bottom hole 22, their respective axes A2, A3 being approximately convergent.

Screw 5 is inserted into hole 8, the screw mentioned 5 passes successively through the hole bottom 22 and perforation 6 before engaging the rod 23. Because screw 5 is self-drilling, it works its internal thread in the stem 23, in which the hole 21 has a diameter smaller than the hole 22 in the stud 24, with which screw 5 does not interfere.

When screw 5 is rotated, both arms 11, 12 approach (given the relative thickness of the arms 11, 12 and the plate 20, this approach movement consists mainly of the flexion of the lower arm 12 towards the upper arm 11) until that panel 1 is gripped between them, while piece 2 is grabbed between the lower arm 12 and the screw head 10, being achieved in this way the fixation of the piece 2.

It is possible that mount 4 has to be mounted in a default address in panel 1, which can  be equipped with mounting polarization means with this finish.

According to an embodiment illustrated in the Figures 8 and 9, these mounting polarization means are in the shape of two 50 front nerves that are located at both sides of the perforation 6, and the distance between them is greater than the width of the upper arm 11, but smaller than the width of the lower arm 12, measured in circular profile 33.

In this way, when mount 4 is being riding upside down, the circular profile 33 bumps against the ribs 50, which prevents mount 4 from being mounted. The mount 4 must be just turned around and ride in place, arm upper 11 being lodged between nerves 50.

Claims (15)

1. Device for fixing a piece (2) to a panel (1) equipped with a perforation (6), such a device comprising a mount (4) equipped with an upper arm (11) and a lower arm (12) that are facing each other with respect to each other and together they define an opening (19) opposite to which they are connected by a plate (20), the upper arm (11) and the lower arm (12) being perforated with an upper hole (21) and a lower hole (22) coaxial respectively, the upper arm (11) comprising a rod (23) forming a nut in which the upper hole (21) is made, the arms (11, 12) can be placed in both sides of the panel (1) with its holes (21, 22) facing the perforation (6) mentioned above while the plate (20) is placed facing the edge (7) of the panel (1), the lower arm (12 ) having an elastically flexible stud (24) articulated by a rim (25) located on the side of the opening (19) and in which the hole infe rior (22) is made, characterized in that the pin (24) has an edge (27) that extends from the lower arm (12) to the upper arm (11) and can be housed in the perforation (6) mentioned above for allow the mount (4) to be snapped in and thus fixed to the panel (1) and the aforementioned rod (23) is partially extended, on the inner side of the upper arm (11), by an edge (44) which can be housed in the perforation (6) made in the panel (1), when the mount (4) is mounted in the panel (1). 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the aforementioned edge (27) of the pin (24) has a face (29) that bends towards the opening (19) mentioned above. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the aforementioned edge (27) of the pin (24) extends circularly at the edge of the hole (22) made in the pin (24). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper arm (11) has a ramp (35) that slopes towards the opening (19). Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower arm (12) has a chamfered free edge (18) on the side of the opening (19) mentioned above. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plate (20) is thicker than the arms (11, 12). 7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the upper arm (11) is thicker than the lower arm (12). Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the aforementioned pin (24) is delimited by a U-shaped recess (26), the concavity of which is facing the aforementioned opening (19) . Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the aforementioned rod (23) extends at least partially on the outer side of the upper arm (11). Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the aforementioned rod (23) is ribbed on the outer side of the upper arm (11). Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper arm (11) has, on the inner side, a collar (39) that extends radially from the rod (23). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper arm (11) has an elastically flexible tongue (41) that extends towards the lower arm (12). 13. Device according to claims 11 and 12, taken together, characterized in that the aforementioned tongue (41) comes from the aforementioned collar (39). 14. Device according to claim 12 or claim 13, characterized in that the aforementioned tongue (41) has a cylindrical free end (42). 15. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mount (4) is produced by molding a synthetic material.